Description: This photograph shows John J. Lentz (1856-1931), founder of American Insurance Union (AIU), during the cornerstone laying of the AIU Citadel building, Columbus, Ohio, on February 23, 1926. Lentz is gesturing as he stands next to the the cornerstone, which reads: "1894 / American Insurance Union / John J. Lentz / Founder and Builder / A.I.U. Citadel / 1926". A few years after building's formal dedication in 1927, AIU was in serious financial straits. The stock market crash and cost overruns incurred during the Citadel's construction led AIU to declare bankruptcy in 1935. Businessmen Leslie LeVeque of Columbus and John Lincoln of Cleveland bought the building, which became known as the Lincoln-Leveque Tower. In 1977 its name was changed officially to the LeVeque Tower. One of the city's most famous architectural landmarks, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. Lentz was born in Belmont County, Ohio, and graduated from Columbia Law School in 1883. That same year he was admitted to the bar in Columbus, Ohio. He founded AIU in 1894 and served two terms as a U.S. Representative from Ohio's 12th Congressional District (1897 to 1901). View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL06935
Subjects: American Insurance Union Citadel; Leveque Tower (Columbus, Ohio); Construction industry--Ohio; Construction; Lentz, John Jacob, 1856-1931; Columbus (Ohio)--Buildings, structures, etc.--Design and construction; Cornerstone laying; Architecture
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: This photograph shows John J. Lentz (1856-1931), founder of American Insurance Union (AIU), delivering a speech during the cornerstone laying of the AIU Citadel building, Columbus, Ohio, on February 23, 1926. Lentz is standing on a wood platform next to the cornerstone, whose face is hidden by a U.S. flag. A few years after building's formal dedication in 1927, AIU was in serious financial straits. The stock market crash and cost overruns incurred during the Citadel's construction led AIU to declare bankruptcy in 1935. Businessmen Leslie LeVeque of Columbus and John Lincoln of Cleveland bought the building, which became known as the Lincoln-Leveque Tower. In 1977 its name was changed officially to the LeVeque Tower. One of the city's most famous architectural landmarks, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. Lentz was born in Belmont County, Ohio, and graduated from Columbia Law School in 1883. That same year he was admitted to the bar in Columbus, Ohio. He founded AIU in 1894 and served two terms as a U.S. Representative from Ohio's 12th Congressional District (1897 to 1901). View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL06936
Subjects: American Insurance Union Citadel; Leveque Tower (Columbus, Ohio); Construction industry--Ohio; Construction; Lentz, John Jacob, 1856-1931; Columbus (Ohio)--Buildings, structures, etc.--Design and construction; Cornerstone laying; Architecture
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: This photograph shows John J. Lentz (1856-1931), founder of American Insurance Union (AIU), applying mortar during the cornerstone laying of the AIU Citadel building, Columbus, Ohio, on February 23, 1926. Now called the LeVeque Tower, the building is one of the city's most famous architectural landmarks. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. Lentz was born in Belmont County, Ohio, and graduated from Columbia Law School in 1883. That same year he was admitted to the bar in Columbus, Ohio. He founded AIU in 1894 and served two terms as a U.S. Representative from Ohio's 12th Congressional District (1897 to 1901). View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL06937
Subjects: American Insurance Union Citadel; Leveque Tower (Columbus, Ohio); Construction industry--Ohio; Construction; Lentz, John Jacob, 1856-1931; Columbus (Ohio)--Buildings, structures, etc.--Design and construction; Cornerstone laying; Architecture
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio); Ohio
 

Description: This photograph shows the groundbreaking ceremony at the site of the future American Union Insurance (AIU) Citadel building, Columbus, Ohio. The ceremony took place on September 23, 1924. Among the dignitaries present were John J. Lentz (1856-1931), AIU founder and former Congressman, and James J. Thomas, mayor of Columbus. A few years after building's formal dedication in 1927, AIU was in serious financial straits. The stock market crash and cost overruns incurred during the Citadel's construction led AIU to declare bankruptcy in 1935. Businessmen Leslie LeVeque of Columbus and John Lincoln of Cleveland bought the building, which became known as the Lincoln-Leveque Tower. In 1977 its name was changed officially to the LeVeque Tower. One of the city's most famous architectural landmarks, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. Lentz was born in Belmont County, Ohio, and graduated from Columbia Law School in 1883. That same year he was admitted to the bar in Columbus, Ohio. He founded AIU in 1894 and served two terms as U.S. Representative from Ohio's 12th Congressional District (1897 to 1901). View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL06938
Subjects: American Insurance Union Citadel; Leveque Tower (Columbus, Ohio); Construction industry--Ohio; Construction; Lentz, John Jacob, 1856-1931; Columbus (Ohio)--Buildings, structures, etc.--Design and construction; Architecture
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio); Ohio
 

Description: Laying cornerstone of American Insurance Union Citadel, includes John J. Levitz, Columbus, Ohio, February 13, 1926. The construction was completed in 1927, making it the tallest building from New York to Chicago. In 1975 it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL05616
Subjects: American Insurance Union Citadel; Leveque Tower (Columbus, Ohio); Construction industry--Ohio; Construction; Lentz, John Jacob, 1856-1931; Columbus (Ohio)--Buildings, structures, etc.--Design and construction; Cornerstone laying; Architecture
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: Laying cornerstone of American Insurance Union Citadel, includes John J. Levitz, Columbus, Ohio, February 13, 1926. The building was completed in 1927 and became the tallest building between New York and Chicago. In 1975, it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL05617
Subjects: American Insurance Union Citadel; Leveque Tower (Columbus, Ohio); Construction industry--Ohio; Construction; Lentz, John Jacob, 1856-1931; Columbus (Ohio)--Buildings, structures, etc.--Design and construction; Cornerstone laying; Architecture
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: Photograph showing the laying of the cornerstone of the American Insurance Union Citadel, Columbus, Ohio, February 13, 1926. Pictured in the photograph is John J. Lentz, who founded the American Insurance Union in 1894. In 1975 the building (then called Lincoln-LeVeque Tower) was added to the National Register of Historic Places. In 1977 the name was officially changed to the LeVeque Tower. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL05618
Subjects: Lentz, John Jacob, 1856-1931; Cornerstone laying; LeVeque Tower; Businesses
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)